ABA Clinics Should Be Ran By BCBAs, Here’s Why:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has proven to be an effective intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental challenges. When seeking ABA therapy for your child, it is crucial to choose a clinic that is led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). 

In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why ABA clinics should be run by BCBAs.

  1. Expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis: BCBAs are professionals who have undergone rigorous training and certification in ABA. They possess in-depth knowledge of the principles, methodologies, and techniques of ABA therapy. By having a BCBA at the helm of an ABA clinic, you can be confident that your child will receive therapy based on evidence-based practices and the highest professional standards.
  2. Development of Individualized Treatment Plans: One of the fundamental aspects of ABA therapy is the development of individualized treatment plans that address the specific needs and goals of each child. BCBAs are trained to conduct comprehensive assessments, analyze data, and create tailored treatment plans. Their expertise allows them to design interventions that are customized to the unique strengths and challenges of each child, maximizing the potential for progress and growth.
  3. Supervision and Training of Staff: BCBAs play a crucial role in supervising and training the staff members who provide direct therapy to children in ABA clinics. They ensure that therapists are properly trained in implementing ABA techniques, collecting data accurately, and maintaining consistency in the delivery of interventions. BCBAs provide ongoing supervision and feedback, ensuring that therapists are equipped with the necessary skills to support your child’s development effectively.
  4. Monitoring Progress and Making Adjustments: Monitoring and tracking progress is an essential component of ABA therapy. BCBAs utilize data collection methods to measure the effectiveness of interventions, track progress, and make data-driven decisions. By regularly reviewing and analyzing data, BCBAs can make informed adjustments to treatment plans, ensuring that therapy remains effective and targets the child’s evolving needs.
  5. Addressing Challenging Behaviors: Challenging behaviors are often a focus of ABA therapy, and BCBAs are highly skilled in behavior management techniques. They can assess the underlying causes of challenging behaviors, develop behavior intervention plans, and guide therapists and parents in implementing effective strategies. BCBAs possess the knowledge and expertise to address challenging behaviors proactively and promote positive behavior change.
  6. Collaboration with Families: BCBAs emphasize collaboration and partnership with families throughout the ABA therapy process. They involve parents as active participants in the treatment, provide training and support, and ensure open communication. BCBAs work closely with families to ensure that therapy goals align with the family’s priorities and that progress extends beyond the clinic and into the child’s natural environment.

Conclusion:

Choosing an ABA clinic that is led by BCBAs is essential for ensuring the highest quality of care for your child. BCBAs bring expertise in ABA principles, develop individualized treatment plans, supervise and train staff, monitor progress, address challenging behaviors, and collaborate with families. Their qualifications and experience contribute to effective and evidence-based therapy that maximizes your child’s potential for growth and success. 

When selecting an ABA clinic, prioritize those led by BCBAs to provide your child with the best possible support on their developmental journey.

About the Author

Dr. Mike Henderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Regional Operations Director

North Carolina

Mike Henderson, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is the Regional Operations Director at Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and organizational leadership, he focuses on mentoring teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and excellence in client care. Mike believes strong leadership and supportive systems are essential for helping clients, families, and providers succeed together.

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.